Pamela Jay
Cottonwood hibiscus - Hibiscus tiliaceus
The native cottonwood hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a member of the family Malvaceae (the marshmallows) and can be found in coastal and estuarine habitats from Port Macquarie to the Pacific Islands. The tree grows up to 8m high and is usually found on the banks of estuaries.
This native hibiscus has been adopted as a national emblem for the Stolen Generation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families and communities during the last century.
Cottonwood hibiscus flowers are edible, and they can also be used for medicinal purposes, while the liquid obtained from the the inner bark has traditionally been used to relieve dysentry. The inner bark of the maluga (malu) can also be used to strap wounds that have first been treated with an antiseptic solution made from either the malu or sapwood of the tree. Malu is recognised, too, as a strong, high quality fibre. The bark is stripped from the tree, cleaned, and soaked in water for a number of days. Each strip is then separated into thin strands which can be woven to create strings that are suitable for basket making or fishing nets.
<a href="http://www.arrawarraculture.com.au/fact_sheets/pdf
Cottonwood hibiscus - Hibiscus tiliaceus
The native cottonwood hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a member of the family Malvaceae (the marshmallows) and can be found in coastal and estuarine habitats from Port Macquarie to the Pacific Islands. The tree grows up to 8m high and is usually found on the banks of estuaries.
This native hibiscus has been adopted as a national emblem for the Stolen Generation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families and communities during the last century.
Cottonwood hibiscus flowers are edible, and they can also be used for medicinal purposes, while the liquid obtained from the the inner bark has traditionally been used to relieve dysentry. The inner bark of the maluga (malu) can also be used to strap wounds that have first been treated with an antiseptic solution made from either the malu or sapwood of the tree. Malu is recognised, too, as a strong, high quality fibre. The bark is stripped from the tree, cleaned, and soaked in water for a number of days. Each strip is then separated into thin strands which can be woven to create strings that are suitable for basket making or fishing nets.
<a href="http://www.arrawarraculture.com.au/fact_sheets/pdf